Weapon sling and attachments

ABSTRACT

A lower sling attachment adapter for use in the M- 16  rifle and M- 4  carbine and their equivalents utilizing a rear or butt stock mounted on a tube, one end of which tube is threaded into the rear of the receiver of the weapon, the improvement comprising a lower sling attachment means mounted on said threaded tube near said receiver and having a hole through which the said threaded end of said tube is passed, said lower sling attachment means having sling mount means on at least one side thereof to which the lower end of a weapon sling is attached.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an improved weapon carrying slingwhich, upon release, lengthens to form a firing support. The inventionfurther relates to improved attachments which fasten the ends of thesling to the top and bottom or butt and forearm areas of the weapon.

[0002] The improved sling is useful in military, hunting and targetweapons in general while the attachments and the sling together areparticularly useful on the rifle currently in use in the United StatesMilitary and in the armed forces of other nations known as the M-16rifle and the M-4 carbine and their equivalents.

PRIOR ART

[0003] For many years carrying slings or straps have been used onweapons such as rifles and other guns which enable them to be carrieddiagonally on an individuals back, over one shoulder on the back, orover the front of the body. These slings generally utilize some form offlexible strap attached near the top or forearm part of the weapon andrun to some attachment point at or near the butt or pistol grip of theweapon, and are usually adjustable in length to adapt to the size of theindividual weapon type, or to the carrying position.

[0004] It is also known to provide some means to lengthen the strap toenable the weapon to be shouldered, or at least the barrel extendedforward of the individual's body, for firing wherein the lengthenedstrap forms a firing aid in that the strap about the individual's bodyis tensioned or strained off against the attachment to the forearm areasteadying the front of the weapon, thus improving accuracy.

[0005] R. H. Seltmann et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,495,770; Bennett, U.S. Pat.No. 4,182,469; and Rock, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,360 all disclose relatedweapon slings which use a sling or body loop which carries the weaponover the front of the individuals body. The loop circles the individualschest and back and hangs over one shoulder. The butt of the weapon issupported by an attachment to the bottom or hip end of the loop. Theencircling loop of these patents generally terminates at the aforesaidshoulder in two ends. One end of the loop passes through a slider ornoose affixed at the other end at the individual's diagonal shoulder andgoes on through the slider to attach to the forearm of the weapon. Whenfiring, the forearm of the rifle is extended which retracts the sliderend and slider towards the individual's body along the other end of theloop and tightens the sling through the slider to provide firing supportby straining off the tightened body loop through its end connected tothe weapon forearm.

[0006] To carry the weapon, a clasp is provided at or near the weaponforearm attachment point which, when clasped to the slider or noose,brings the rifle forearm up toward the individual's shoulder intogenerally a front carrying position while loosening the body loop.

[0007] German Patent #2,260,700, discloses a sling in which a back strap5 and loop 4 extending only across the individual's back carries theweapon with an attachment at the shoulder end of the loop. The strap 5is clasped to the forearm to carry the weapon and released to tightenthe loop 4 through the attachment and form a firing support.

[0008] A major problem with the above noted sling types is that therelease of the weapon from the carry position and tightening of the bodyloop or back loop in the case of the German patent, causes a trade offin the “feel” of use of the sling as a firing support because changingthe tension against the weapon forearm causes a change in the tension ortightness of the body loop and vice versa which adversely affects theaim because of such simple activities as breathing and wearing of bodyequipment, armor, or even coats.

[0009] Additionally, this interdependence causes problems in that anadjustment in the body loop changes the length of the firing supportappreciably. In the case of the German patent, there is also no fullbody loop, which leaves the weapon inadequately supported in both thecarry and firing positions.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,859 discloses a forearm sling attachment bywhich means a circular ring forming the sling attachment point isinserted over the tubular end of a shotgun magazine tube at the forearm.

[0011] Additionally U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,686 to Morwood discloses aweapon sling with a loosely encircling body loop from which the weaponmay be carried across the front of the body and utilizing a releasablesecond strap between the shoulder end of the body loop and the weaponforearm. This second strap is released to fire the weapon but thenprovides no firing support. Note, however, in FIG. 7 a mode is disclosedwhereby the entire body loop can be used as a firing support, though ina manner entirely unlike the invention herein disclosed.

[0012] Further, an attachment to this application dated May 25, 1970 andfound in the Examiner's search area in Class 224 Subclass 150 shows aweapon sling adapter kit, including a sling forearm attachment adaptercapable of attachment to the front sight bridge of the M-16 type rifle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 shows the weapon carrying sling of the invention withoutthe weapon attached and showing the encircling body loop with theforearm attachment unlocked to firing position.

[0014]FIG. 2 shows the sling with weapon attached and in locked or carryposition.

[0015]FIG. 3 shows the sling with weapon attached in unlocked or readyto fire position.

[0016]FIG. 4 shows the sling in unlocked firing position with the slingsteadying the weapon.

[0017]FIG. 5 shows a more detailed view of the sling and release catchwithout the weapon attached.

[0018]FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of a version of the male end of therelease catch.

[0019]FIG. 7 shows the lower sling attachment adapter in an explodedview for assembly on the M-4 carbine or its equivalent.

[0020]FIG. 8 shows the existing lower butt stock of the M-4 type carbinewith the lower sling adapter attached.

[0021]FIG. 9 shows an alternative lower sling attachment adapter for theM-4 type carbine.

[0022]FIG. 10 shows the lower sling attachment adapter for use with theM-16 rifle or its equivalent.

[0023]FIG. 11, shows the lower butt stock of the standard M-16 rifle inan exploded view of the assembly of the lower sling attachment adapterof FIG. 10.

[0024]FIG. 12 shows the front sight bridge of the existing M-4 typecarbine and M-16 type rifle.

[0025]FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of the upper sling attachmentadapter of the invention for attachment to the rear leg of the frontsight bridge of existing M-4 type carbines and M-16 type rifles.

[0026]FIG. 14 is a front view of the upper sling attachment adapterattached to the front sight bridge leg of the M-16 /M-4 type weapons.

[0027]FIG. 15 shows a rear view of the mounted upper sling attachmentadapter attached to the front sight bridge leg.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] The weapon sling of the invention includes, referring to FIGS.1-5, a cross body sling or loop 1 with a length adjustment 2 and a lowersling attachment 3 for attachment to the lower end of the weapon, suchas the butt or pistol grip area, which can be the lower attachmentadapters of FIG. 7-9 for the M-4 type carbine or the lower attachmentadapter of FIGS. 10-11 for the M-16 type rifle.

[0029] The length of this loop can be adjusted by adjustment 2 toconform to individual body size, weapon type, other equipment beingcarried, or various carrying positions and may be of the usual buckletype. In use in the transport or firing of the weapon, however, thelength of loop 1 is fixed.

[0030] The upper or shoulder end of loop 1 has both a clasp or catch 4affixed thereto as well as an extension strap 6. The strap 6 carriesnear its end away from loop 1 a mating end 5 of catch 4 and an upperattachment 7 for attachment to the front or forearm area of the weaponwhich may be the upper sling attachment adapter shown in FIGS. 13-15.Further, the strap 6 may itself have a length adjustment means 8 such asa common belt buckle type, velcro, etc. so that its length is adjustableentirely independently of the length of loop 1. This gives the inventionparticular adaptability to use with various different weapons and weaponattachments, different firing positions preferences as well asindividual user sizes and other equipment which may be carried by theuser.

[0031] In practice, the catch 4 can alternatively be attached to theextension strap 6 near its attachment to loop 1 and the mating end 5 canalternatively be attached to the weapon forearm or barrel.

[0032] In use in the carrying position with the weapon in front of thebody as shown in FIG. 2, the clasp mating end 5 is inserted in catch 4which effectively forms a loose second loop of strap 6 and brings theweapon barrel up out of the way of the arms, etc. and into an easycarrying position.

[0033] In use in the firing position the catch 4 is released which dropsthe weapon into the position shown in FIG. 3 in which it can beshouldered and fired or steadied by straining against strap 6 and fired.The same may be accomplished by firing unshouldered, or even with onehand.

[0034] The catch 4 can be of the positive latching type which requiresthe individual to release it by hand or may be of the pressure releasetype which will release when the individual simply pushes on the weaponitself.

[0035]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a type of common positive release catch whichhas a mating end 5 with barbs 9. These catches are often made ofplastic. It has been found that a particularly satisfactory pressurerelease catch can be made by the removal of barbs 9 as shown in FIG. 5by filing etc. This results in a simple light, quiet, and inexpensivecatch which will hold the weapon in carry position until the user exertsa considerable positive push on the upper end of the weapon. This isparticularly useful in a military situation if the user is wounded or ina situation where there is a need to fire with one hand such as drivinga vehicle. Other known types of catches such as velcro and camminglatches could also be used, however.

[0036] While the weapon sling has most obvious use in the front carrydiagonal position shown, it can also be used to carry the weapon in thediagonal position on the individuals back or vertically over theshoulder.

[0037] When used in its preferred use as a front carry sling the slingattachments 3 and 7 should attach to the weapon so that the center ofgravity of the weapon and any attachments or accessories such as thermalsights, telescopic sights, night vision devices, laser pointing devices,and grenade launchers, or even flashlights is under a line between theattachment points in order that the weapon will be carried in an uprightposition and is ready for use. The upper and lower sling attachmentadapters disclosed are particularly useful in this regard.

[0038] The current rifle and carbine in use in the United States ArmedForces is the M-16 rifle and the M-4 carbine. These weapons orequivalent designs are also used by a number of other countries.

[0039] The M-4 carbine rear or butt stock as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 hasa spring and buffer tube 10 which also carries the extendable butt stockof the weapon at its end. This tube 10 has a threaded portion 12 at itsother end on which is carried a threaded lock ring 13, and a washer, notshown, and is threaded into the rear of the receiver 14. All of theabove parts are standard in this weapon as is a lower sling attachmentoften mounted on the top rear of the butt stock 11. It has been foundthat a lower sling attachment adapter such as 15 shown in FIG. 7 hasparticular adaptability to this weapon and to the sling disclosed abovein that it is easily installed on the M-4 weapon by loosening orunscrewing 13, inserting the adapter 15 in place of the existing washer,and reinstalling the lock ring 13 and tube 10. The adapter is locatedagainst rotation on the tube 10 by locators 16 which consist of a keyand a detent as in the standard washer which it replaces. The adapter 15may include elongated slots 17 on either or both sides of the lowerportion of adapter as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 so that the web of the endof attachment 3 can be passed through either of the slots 17 dependingon whether the weapon is to be carried or used from the right or lefthanded position. The lower mounting of slots 17 prevents interference bythe sling with the weapon controls such as the bolt assist 18 orcharging handle 19. Slots 17 could also be located on either of the topor bottom sides of adapter 15.

[0040]FIG. 9 shows the adapter 15 with simple holes 20 on either siderather than the slots of FIGS. 7 and 8 which can be used with the commonclip type of sling end attachment 21 at the lower attachment point 3 ofloop 1.

[0041] In FIG. 10 is shown an alternate lower sling attachment adapter22 which has particular adaptability to the M-16 type rifle lowerreceiver and butt stock, as shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 10 shows front, sideand end views of the lower sling attachment adapter 22 as it isconfigured for use on the M-16 rifle and its equivalents. In FIGS. 10and 11, the mounting is similar to the M-4 carbine in that tube 23,which has a threaded end 24, is passed through adapter 22 and isthreaded into receiver 25. The butt stock 26 of the rifle is mounted onthe tube 23. The adapter 22 is held against rotation on the tube 23 by alocator 27. Slots 28 are provided in adapter 22 for mounting to the endof attachment 3. Simple holes and clips could also obviously be used asset out in FIG. 9.

[0042]FIG. 12 shows the standard front sight bridge in use in the M-4and M-16 weapons which consists of a front leg 29 and a rear leg 30which supports a front sight 31.

[0043] The upper sling attachment adapter of FIGS. 13-15 has particularadaptability to the M-4 and M-16 type of weapon and to the slingdescribed above. The M-4 and M-16 weapons both utilize a front sight 31mounted on front and rear bridge legs 29 and 30 as shown in FIGS. 12,14, and 15. The upper sling attachment adapter shown in exploded view inFIG. 13 consists of front and rear sections 32 and 33 which encircle therear sight bridge leg 30 and carry mating extensions on each side. Thefront and rear sections are attached to leg 30 and pinned together bypins 34 which are pressed or driven in place through the matingextensions and which also carry sling ears 35 which may swivel on saidpins. Pins 34 may be replaced by screws or may be locked in place bypins or clips in a known fashion.

[0044] The upper sling attachment adapter is thus easily attached to theexisting front sight, however, ears 35 could obviously be produced as acasting or stamping as an integral part of front or rear legs 29 and 30.

[0045] The inventive sling itself is useful with sporting as well asmilitary and target weapons. It enables the weapon to be comfortablycarried with other equipment and weapon attachments and yet to bequickly brought to firing position. The weapon can be fired from onehand while the other is used to steady the user as in vehicles, whenrapelling, or climbing, or when wounded. Further the sling is quicklyadaptable for right or left hand carry and firing. The combination ofthe inventive sling and the upper and lower sling attachment adapterswith the M-16 and M-4 weapons produce a sling system which hasparticular benefit for military use in that a number of problems withexisting slings and adapters are overcome.

[0046] Current military weapons often use large night sights, lasersights, etc. which are difficult to carry and use with existing slings.The upper and lower sling attachment of the invention result in theweapon being carried upright rather than being overweighted by theattachments and turned over. Further, the upper sling attachment adaptertends to keep the sling out of the line of sight when the weapon isbeing aimed as opposed to prior slings.

I claim:
 1. A weapon carrying and firing sling comprising a body loopfor encircling the body of an individual carrying the weapon, said bodyloop having a lower end and an upper end passing over one of saidindividual's shoulders, said body loop also having a lower attachmentmeans located at said lower end of said body loop for attachment nearthe lower or butt end of a weapon, a first release clasp means affixedto said body loop near its upper end, an extension strap having a firstend fixedly attached to said body loop near said upper end and a furtherdistant end on which is mounted an upper attachment means for fixedattachment to the upper or forearm area of the weapon, so that, when thesling is in use on the individual, length of the extension strap is offixed relation to the length of the body loop and the distant end of theextension strap is always attached to the weapon forearm, a secondrelease clasp means adapted to engage and clasp with said first releaseclasp means and mounted near the upper or forearm area of the weaponwherein the first and second clasp means are clasped to form a loop byjoining the first and further ends of said extension strap when carryingthe weapon and when released, to extend said loop to allow the weaponforearm to be extended away from the body for firing and strainedagainst said extension strap for steadying the weapon when firing. 2.The weapon carrying and firing sling of claim 1 wherein the secondrelease clasp means is mounted on said extension strap near said distantend.
 3. The Weapon carrying and firing sling of claim 1 wherein saidfirst release clasp means is mounted on said extension strap near itsfirst end.
 4. The weapon carrying and firing sling of claim 1 whereinsaid body loop has adjustment means to adjust its length.
 5. The weaponcarrying and firing sling of claim 1 wherein said extension strap hasadjustment means to adjust its length.
 6. The weapon carrying and firingsling of claim 4 wherein said extension strap has adjustment means toadjust its length.
 7. The weapon carrying and firing sling of claim 1wherein said first and second release clasp means are adapted to releaseat a predetermined tension in said extension strap.
 8. The weaponcarrying and firing sling of claim 1 wherein said first and secondrelease clasp means are adapted to release with hand pressure from theindividual on one of said release clasp means.
 9. The weapon carryingand firing sling of claim 1 wherein, when said first and second releaseclasp means are unclasped, said extension strap is strained against saidbody loop to steady the weapon on firing.
 10. The weapon carrying andfiring sling of claim 1 wherein at least one of lower and upperattachment means use fiber hook and fabric closures.
 11. The weaponcarrying and firing sling of claim 1 wherein the upper and lowerattachment means attached to the weapon are so located that the centerof gravity of the weapon and any mounted accessories lies below astraight line running from the upper to the lower attachment meanswhereby the weapon will be carried by the sling in a trigger downposition.
 12. A lower sling attachment adapter for use in the M-16 rifleand M-4 carbine and their equivalents utilizing a rear or butt stockmounted on a tube, one end of which tube is threaded into the rear ofthe receiver of the weapon, the improvement comprising a lower slingattachment means mounted on said threaded tube near said receiver andhaving a hole through which the said threaded end of said tube ispassed, said lower sling attachment means having sling mount means on atleast one side thereof to which the lower end of a weapon sling isattached.
 13. The lower sling attachment adapter of claim 12 wherein thesling mount means is an elongate slot through which a flat web of aweapon sling is passed to secure the lower end of the sling to theweapon.
 14. The lower sling attachment adapter of claim 12 wherein thesling mount means is a hole through which an attachment clip of a weaponsling is passed to secure the lower end of the sling to the weapon. 15.The lower sling attachment adapter of claim 12 wherein the lower slingattachment means has a sling mount means on at least one of its rightand left sides relative to its mounting on the weapon.
 16. The lowersling attachment adapter of claim 12 wherein the lower sling attachmentmeans has a sling mount means on each of its right and left sidesrelative to its mounting on the weapon so that the weapon can be carriedby an individual with the butt of the weapon at either his right or leftside.
 17. The lower sling attachment adapter of claim 12 in which theadapter is clamped to the rear of the said receiver by the existingthreaded lock ring mounted on said threaded tube end of the M-4 carbineand its equivalents.
 18. The lower sling attachment adapter of claim 12wherein the adapter is clamped to the rear of the said receiver by theexisting collar on the said threaded tube end of the M-16 rifle and itsequivalents.
 19. The lower sling attachment adapter of claim 12 whereinsaid lower sling attachment means has at least right and left sides asit is mounted on the weapon and wherein said sling mount means consistsof an ear mounted on and protruding from at least one of the lower rightor left sides of the lower sling attachment means and being located lowenough on said right or left side to clear the operating space ofexisting weapons controls of the M-4 and M-16 type weapons.
 20. Thelower sling attachment adapter of claim 12 wherein the lower slingattachment means has locator means mating with an existing matinglocator means on the M-4 weapon receiver to secure the adapter againstrotation on said tube.
 21. The lower sling attachment adapter of claim12 wherein the lower sling attachment means has locator means matingwith existing mating locator means on the existing M-16 weapon rearstock to secure the adapter against rotation on said tube.
 22. An uppersling attachment adapter for use in the M-16 rifle and M-4 carbine andtheir equivalent utilizing a front sight having at least one elongatedleg extending at one end from near the end of the barrel of the weaponto, at its other end, the front sight of the weapon and having right andleft sides with respect to the weapon, wherein the improvement comprisesan upper sling attachment means encircling and clamping said elongatedleg and extending along at least one of the right or left sides of thesaid leg, said upper sling attachment means having upper sling mountmeans affixed thereto to which the upper end of a weapon sling isattached, said upper sling mount means being suspended by said uppersling attachment means and extending away from said leg so that theupper end of the weapon sling is held away from the sight line of thefront sight.
 23. The upper sling attachment adapter of claim 22 whereinthe upper sling mount means has an elongated slot running substantiallyits length through which a flat web of a weapon sling is passed tosecure the upper end of the weapon sling to the weapon.
 24. The uppersling attachment adapter of claim 22 wherein the upper sling mount meanshas a hole through which an attachment clip of a weapon sling is passedto secure the upper end of the sling to the weapon.
 25. The upper slingattachment adapter of claim 22 wherein the upper sling attachment meanshas at least two separable sections which together encircle and clamp onsaid leg.
 26. The upper sling attachment adapter of claim 25 wherein theseparable sections each have at least one extending ear which ears arealigned with each other.
 27. The upper sling attachment adapter of claim26 wherein said upper sling mount means has an ear adapted to align withat least some of the ears of said separable sections.
 28. The uppersling attachment adapter of claim 27 wherein said ears are held alignedand mounted together by pin means passing through.
 29. The upper slingattachment adapter of claim 26 wherein said connecting means consist ofat least one pin passing through said ears.
 30. The upper slingattachment adapter of claim 26 wherein said connecting means consists ofat least one screw passing through said ears.
 31. The upper slingattachment adapter of claim 28 wherein said connecting means consist ofat least one pin passing through said ears.
 32. The upper slingattachment adapter of claim 28 wherein said connecting means consists ofat least one screw passing through said ears.
 33. A weapon carrying andfiring sling for use in the M-16 rifle and M-4 carbine and theirequivalents utilizing a rear or butt stock mounted on a tube, one end ofwhich tube is threaded into the rear of the receiver of the weapon, theimprovement comprising a body loop for encircling the body of anindividual carrying the weapon, said body loop having a lower end and anupper end passing over one of said individual's shoulders, said bodyloop also having a lower attachment means located at said lower end ofsaid body loop for attachment near the lower or butt end of a weapon, afirst release clasp means affixed to said body loop near its upper end,an extension strap having a first end affixed to said body loop nearsaid upper end and a further distant end on which is mounted an upperattachment means for attachment to the upper or forearm area of theweapon, a second release clasp means adapted to engage and clasp withsaid first release clasp means and mounted near the upper or forearmarea of the weapon wherein the first and second clasp means are claspedto form a loop of said extension strap when carrying the weapon andreleased to allow the weapon forearm to be extended away from the bodyfor firing the weapon, said sling being attached to the lower end of theweapon by lower sling attachment means mounted on said threaded tubenear said receiver and having a hole through which the said threaded endof said tube is passed, said lower sling attachment means having slingmount means on at least one side thereof to which the lower end of aweapon sling is attached.
 34. A weapon carrying and firing sling for usein the M-16 rifle and M-4 carbine and their equivalents utilizing afront sight having at least one elongated leg extending at one end fromnear the end of the barrel of the weapon to, at its other end, the frontsight of the weapon and having right and left sides with respect to theweapon, the improvement comprising a body loop for encircling the bodyof an individual carrying the weapon, said body loop having a lower endand an upper end passing over one of said individual's shoulders, saidbody loop also having a lower attachment means located at said lower endof said body loop for attachment near the lower or butt end of a weapon,a first release clasp means affixed to said body loop near its upperend, an extension strap having a first end affixed to said body loopnear said upper end and a further distant end on which is mounted anupper attachment means for attachment to the upper or forearm area ofthe weapon, a second release clasp means adapted to engage and claspwith said first release clasp means and mounted near the upper orforearm area of the weapon wherein the first and second clasp means areclasped to form a loop of said extension strap when carrying the weaponand released to allow the weapon forearm to be extended away from thebody for firing the weapon, an upper sling attachment adapter encirclingand clamping said elongated leg and extending at least partially alongsaid leg, said upper sling attachment adapter having upper sling mountmeans affixed thereto to which the upper attachment means of the weaponsling is attached, said upper sling mount means being suspended by saidupper sling attachment adapter and extending away from said leg so thatthe upper end of the weapon sling is held away from the sight line ofthe front sight.
 35. A weapon carrying and firing sling for use in theM-16 rifle and M-4 carbine and their equivalents utilizing a rear orbutt stock mounted on a tube, one end of which tube is threaded into therear of the receiver of the weapon and having a front sight having atleast one elongated leg extending at one end from near the end of thebarrel of the weapon to, at its other end, the front sight of the weaponand having right and left sides with respect to the weapon, theimprovement comprising a body loop for encircling the body of anindividual carrying the weapon, said body loop having a lower end and anupper end passing over one of said individual's shoulders, said bodyloop also having a lower attachment means located at said lower end ofsaid body loop for attachment near the lower or butt end of a weapon, afirst release clasp means affixed to said body loop near its upper end,an extension strap having a first end affixed to said body loop nearsaid upper end and a further distant end on which is mounted an upperattachment means for attachment to the upper or forearm area of theweapon, a second release clasp means adapted to engage and clasp withsaid first release clasp means and mounted near the upper or forearmarea of the weapon wherein the first and second clasp means are claspedto form a loop of said extension strap when carrying the weapon andreleased to allow the weapon forearm to be extended away from the bodyfor firing the weapon, said lower attachment means being attached to thelower end of the weapon by a lower sling attachment adapter mounted onsaid threaded tube near said receiver and having a hole through whichthe said threaded end of said tube is passed, said lower slingattachment adapter having sling mount means on at least one side thereofto which said lower attachment means of the weapon sling is attached, anupper sling attachment adapter encircling and clamping said elongatedleg and extending at least partially along said leg, said upper slingattachment adapter having upper sling mount means affixed thereto towhich the upper attachment means of the weapon sling is attached, saidupper sling mount means being suspended by said upper sling attachmentadapter and extending away from said leg so that the upper end of theweapon sling is held away from the sight line of the front sight.